People

Luke Mackinder PI

Luke completed his undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences at Durham University, UK where he graduated in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Biology. During his MSc and PhD, his research focused on viral infection and carbon fixation of marine phytoplankton. Pursuing his passion for understanding carbon fixation in eukaryotic algae, he completed his postdoctoral research in the Jonikas Lab at the Carnegie Institution for Plant Sciences, Stanford USA, where he worked on the carbon concentrating mechanism of the model green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Since October 2016 he is a lecturer at the University of York where his lab uses systems and synthetic biology approaches to understand eukaryotic and prokaryotic carbon fixation. If he is not in the lab, you'll find Luke riding the roads and trails of Yorkshire on his bike, chasing Yorkshire waves or hanging out with his wife and three daughters.

Charlotte Walker Discovery Fellow/Postdoc

I completed my BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter in 2011, after which I left the UK to work on a marine conservation project with the Bahamas National Trust. After 1. 5 years of fine tuning my scientific diving skills and avoiding temperate weather, I returned to the UK to study for a MRes in Marine Biology with Plymouth University. My project focused on the molecular monitoring of harmful algal blooms. During this time I developed a fascination for microalgae physiology and how they influence life on Earth. This led on to my Ph.D research which was conducted with the University of Southampton and the Marine Biological Association of the UK whereby I explored mechanisms of calcification in coccolithophores, photosynthetic marine microalgae which produce calcium carbonate platelets and greatly influence ocean biogeochemistry.
After finishing my Ph.D I have been fortunate to join the Mackinder Lab here in York. I am really interested in physiology and fundamental life processes, therefore the opportunity to work on Chlamydomonas carbon fixation is really exciting. During the project we will be focusing on characterizing HCO3- transport within the carbon concentrating mechanism.

Onyou Nam Postdoc

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology at Sejong University in Korea. During this time, I became interested in single-cell organisms, mainly marine phytoplankton. This led to my PhD research in Life Science at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea, focusing on the biomineralisation mechanism of the coccolithophorid alga Emiliania huxleyi, which is an important species for the global carbon cycle. After finishing my PhD, I was delighted to join the Mackinder lab to understand the fundamental biology of carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. My project focuses on developing high-throughput approaches to rapidly advance our knowledge of the pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanism in the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. During my spare time, I enjoy walking/travelling with my family and like to watch films and sports.

Mihris Naduthodi Rubicon Fellow/Postdoc

After completing my Bachelors in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering from University of Kerala in India, I moved to the Netherlands in 2015 to pursue my Masters in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology at the Wageningen University and Research. During this time, I was introduced to the CRISPR-Cas systems and was fascinated by its application as a genome engineering tool across organisms. This interest led me to the lab of John van der Oost, one of the pioneers in the field of CRISPR technology to perform my MSc thesis where I gained experience on using this technology for generating mutants in thermophilic bacteria. Later on, after completing my MSc, I was appointed as a PhD candidate under the supervision of John and Maria Barbosa where I developed novel CRISPR-based genetic tools for microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica. Upon completion of my PhD in 2021 and after working with microalgae for four years, I was curious about the carbon fixing mechanisms in microalgae. Research into this field led me to the Mackinder lab, where I presently study the carbon concentration mechanisms in microalgae.

Katy Davis Postdoc

Katy completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, focussing on Golgi-localised enzymes involved in plant cell wall biosynthesis. She has now returned to York (where she completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry) to join the Mackinder lab, and is investigating proteins involved in membrane remodelling in Chlamydomonas. In her spare time, Katy enjoys making artwork and experimenting with different media (with varying rates of success!).

James Barrett Postdoc

I completed my PhD in the Mackinder Lab in 2023, in which I focussed on the identification and characterisation of linker proteins in the pyrenoids of green lineage algae. During this time I developed an interest in understanding the evolutionary timing and apparent convergence of pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanisms, as well as in understanding the molecular details driving Rubisco condensation in pyrenoids. My current project in the lab, funded by the Carbon Technology Research Foundation (CTRF), aims to build on the discovery of a plant-compatible pyrenoid linker protein from the green alga Chlorella sorokiniana.

Justin Lau Postdoc

I graduated in BSc Plant sciences at the University of Sheffield in 2016. During my degree, I joined Professor Andrew Fleming’s lab group to investigate the impact of stomatal change on A. thaliana histology. At that time I was introduced to the panoply of ways that plant scientists are developing to boost photosynthetic efficiency and improve crop yield. Soon I was fascinated by CCMs, with their often intricate and elegant coupling of physical structure and biochemical pathways. This led to my final year project on light-dark transition of carboxylation/decarboxylation enzyme kinetics in the C4 mechanism in Professor Richard Leegood's group. Continuing this work after graduation, I focused on dissecting enzyme kinetic differences in C4 sub type models. This year, I’m very happy to be in the Mackinder lab, exploring the beauty of another complex CCM. On the weekends, you can normally find me busy in the kitchen making food for my friends for a cosy night in.

Gaurav Kumar Postdoc

I completed my PhD in February 2023 at the Institute of Nanoscience and Technology, Mohali, India and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India. While working on complex bacterial organelle during my PhD, I developed a keen interest in understanding the functioning and biogenesis of complex organelles in higher organisms. I joined Mackinder Lab as postdoc in March 2023 to study algal pyrenoids and understand the role of linker-mediated phase separation in the formation of this complex subcellular system. My current objective is to understand how the structural features of linker proteins govern the phase separation of Rubisco and contribute towards the functioning of algal pyrenoids.

Ousmane Dao Postdoc

After finishing high school in Mali in 2014, I obtained my bachelor's degree in microbial biotechnology in Algeria at the University Ahmed Ben Bella in 2017. I then joined Agroparistech in Paris Saclay, where I obtained my master's degree in plant sciences. This master's degree gave me a taste for academic research, which led me to pursue a PhD in microalgae biology in Li-Beisson's group at the CEA Cadarache, France. During my PhD, I discovered the world of eukaryotic photosynthesis: from the regulation/management of electron transfer reactions to the Calvin cycle and the mechanism of CO2 concentration. My PhD thesis focused specifically on the acclimation mechanisms of photosynthesis during environmental fluctuations in CO₂, light and nutrients. To this end, I used the unicellular model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In Luke's group, I study the physiological role of pyrenoid-based CCM components in microalgae and test their functionality in plants with the aim of improving productivity. Outside the lab, you'll find me either on a football pitch, or at home reading books or watching videos.

Sabina Musiał PhD Student

I completed my integrated masters degree at the University of Sheffield in 2021. During my course I have conducted two research projects which have shaped my current interest. During my third year I focused on bioinformatic analysis of mRNA transcripts with introns in their 3’ Untranslated Regions in breast cancer. For my masters thesis I took a more structural angle and studied the structure of cytochrome bc1 from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobater sphaeroides using cryo-electron microscopy. These experiences ensured me that I want to work in both the fields of photosynthesis and structural biology while applying bioinformatics which motivated me to join the Mackinder group where I am hoping to look at the proteins involved in the structure and function of the pyrenoid in diverse algal lineages using cryo-electron microscopy and tomography. In my free time I love going on long walks, watching films and climbing.

Sol Wrathall Research Technician

In 2022 I obtained a PhD in Chemistry at the University of York in the Hunt/Parkin labs, with a research project exploring active site structural dynamics in NiFe-hydrogenases with ultrafast pump-probe and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. In 2023 I worked as an analytical scientist in the veterinary medicines division of the food and environment research agency (Fera). In 2024 I joined the Mackinder lab as a research technician with a project focussing on understanding the roles of the carbonic anhydrases in the Chlamydomonas CCM.

Hannah Derry Research Technician

In 2024 I graduated with a BSc in Genetics, and three research projects under my belt. Whilst studying in Denmark, I conducted a project assessing the presence of glutamatergic receptors in neuroblastoma cells. Upon returning to the UK, I undertook a studentship, investigating the effects of EPF overexpression in soybean; and for my final-year project, I used bioinformatics to characterise the metabolic role of a microorganism involved in anaerobic digestion. I’m excited to now continue my scientific journey with the Mackinder Lab! In my free-time, you’ll find me pirouetting, painting, or playing volleyball.